OAKLEAF - With August about to be here, area football teams will be ramping up their preparation for 2024 with Oakleaf High coach Chris Foy employing a little early start mentality with a Midnight Madness first practice session Sunday night at the Oakleaf High football stadium.
"It's a way to get the fans and parents into the season and for the players to show up and be excited about the start of the new season," said Foy, in his second season after a 4-6 finish last year. "We just came back from a good camp down at Southeastern University and it's time to focus on the new season."
On the field, Foy utilized a fast-moving series of position drills with running back Chris Foy II one of the louder voices on the field pushing his teammates to hustle and play smart.
A good look came from transfer quarterback Jack McKissock, who is now in a two-way starting battle with last year's backup to graduate Brandon Wallace, Jr., Jayven Romero. McKissock diligently hustled through tackling drills, running back drills and, of course, passing drills with Foy reminding him that he's a football player first, then a quarterback.
"Our guys are going to be able to take the field and execute whatever is needed to be successful," said Foy. "I got offensive linemen in tackling drills and even in running back drills. Football changes so fast on the field and I want guys that can respond."
On the field, Foy's mammoth offensive line, led by Mykel Mayo's 6'-4", 300 pounds-plus frame, showed off solid conditioning over the summer while handling running back drills in a tackling exercise on the field.
With his team in high energy from midnight to about 1:30 a.m., Foy's whistle and smiling encouragement is a good sign that the Knights will be a stronger unit in 2024.
"With our schedule, one of the toughest in the area, we want our guys to be able to depend on the guy next to them," said Foy. "It's all about being a family unit out there."
Oakleaf opens up in preseason with a Sat., Aug. 17 visit by Nease High with the August 23 season opener against a strong Riverside High team at Oakleaf.